Online Desk: Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) has inaugurated ‘Sarah Islam Cadaveric Transplant Cell’ named after the first cadaveric organ donor, Sarah Islam. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr.  Md. Sharfuddin Ahmed and Shabnam Sultana, loving mother of late Sarah Islam were present.

A discussion was organized at Shahid Dr. Millon Hall of B-Block on Monday to celebrate country’s first cadaveric donor Sarah Islam as a brain death patient and celebrating the successful transplantation of the organs into four patients of the University. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Hasan Mahmood MP spoke as the chief guest. Chairman of the National Cadaveric Transplant Committee and Vice Chancellor of BSMMU Dr. Md. Sharfuddin Ahmed presided the event. BSMMU Cadaveric Transplant Cell convener and proctor, professor Dr.  Md. Habibur Rahman Dulal conducted the program.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Vice-Chancellor prof. Dr. Md. Sharfuddin Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor (Academic) prof. Dr. AKM Mosharraf Hossain, Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development) prof. Dr. Md. Moniruzzaman Khan, proctor Prof Habibur Rahman pledged for cadaveric organ donation and their pledges were submitted to the cadaveric cell. Besides, many people, including the heroic freedom fighter Shah Jahan, pledged to donate their bodies after death.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Hasan Mahmood said Sarah Islam has done a wonderful job.  Many will follow her and would come forward with cadaveric organ donation as part of cadaveric transplant programs. The vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University also pledged cadaveric organ donation.

In response to the questions of the journalists about the march (Padojatra) announced by BNP, the minister said that the BNP wants to create chaos in the country in the name of the march.  BNP marches during the day for the downfall of the current Awami League government and is busy at night with diplomats licking their foot.  But their hope will not be fulfilled.  BNP should prepare to participate in the next national elections by avoiding chaos conspiracy.

Presiding over the discussion chairman of National Cadaveric Transplant Committee and BSMMU vice-chancellor of prof. Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed said that a total of eight lives can be saved through the organs donated by one brain dead person.  Two kidneys, two lungs, one heart, one pancreas, complete intestine and liver. In developed countries, saving the lives of others by collecting the organs from brain death patients have been practiced for a long time.

Sharfuddin Ahmed said, Sarah Islam was a brilliant student.  Despite battling a complex disease, she successfully passed SSC and HSC and got admission in Bachelor of Fine Arts.  She was a skilled painter.  She was a humanitarian.  She loved people.  So her mother Shabnam Sultana gave her consent to this organ donation overriding her wishes.  As soon as consent is given, the search for the right organ recipient begins.  After examining six potential patients for about 24 hours, two were finally selected.  The complex surgery started from 10:30 pm on January 18 and ended at around 5:00 am the next day.  Every team constituted as per law has worked efficiently here.Urologist and transplant surgeon professor Habibur Rahman led the transplant team.

The VC congratulated all the Urologists, Nephrologists, ICU Specialists, Kidney Foundation, National Eye Donation Committee who were involved in this work with utmost sincerity. Prof Sharfuddin Ahmed also said that Sarah Islam is the first person in the history of Bangladesh, who gave hope to four people by donating her organs before dying of brain death.  The gift given by Sarah Islam is the most expensive gift.  How great a person can do this!  Sarah shows how to defeat death.  Even after death, one can live with dignity.  How to benefit other even after death.  To me, Sarah Islam is a true peddler of humanity.  Another soul hidden in the mortal body is called Sarah Islam.  This name will be engraved forever in the world of medical science of Bangladesh.  You will be a role model for us in the world of humanity.

It is to be noted that immediately after Sarah Islam’s brain death on January 18, her two kidneys were taken out.  A kidney was successfully transplanted into the body of a patient named Shamima Akter by prof Habibur Rahman. Her other kidney was successfully transplanted to another patient named Hasina Akhtar by a team led by AKM Khurshidul Alam.

Sarah Islam’s two corneas were also successfully transplanted into the eyes of two patients, teacher Ferdousi Akhtar (56) and Mohammad Sujan (23).  Associate professor of Community Ophthalmology, Mohammad Sheesh Rahman led the surgery on Ferdousi Akter’s eyes. Mohammad Sujan’s eye surgery was led by assistant professor Dr.  Rajashri Das, Assistant professor, Department of Ophthalmology.